Coin-controlled gas-vending machine



Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. WEBBER. GOIN GONTROLLED GAS VENDING MACHINE.

Patented Oo-t. 22, `1895.

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W. WEBBER.

. G01N GONTROLLBD GAS VENDING MAGHINB. No.v 548,334. i Patented Oot.- 22, 1895.

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No. 548,334. Patented Oct. 22, 1895.

' W/rNEssEs TTUHNE I' VUNITED VSTATES' PATENT OFFICE.

WESLEYVWEBBER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

COIN-CONTFCOLLEDv GAS-VENDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 548,334, dated October 22, 1895. Application filed April 16, 1895. Serial No. 545,908. (No model.)

To all whom iv' may concern:

Be it known that I, WESLEY WEBBER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburg,in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Coin-Controlled Gas-Vending Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made, Figure l is a sectional elevation of my new coin-controlled gas-vending machine, taken on linev of Fig. 2, showing the parts in the position they assume when the meter is locked thereby. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation on line y y of Fig. l, showing in diagram the connection of the machine with the meter. Fig. 3 is la plan View of the main crank detached. Fig. 4 is afront elevation of the vending-machine, a portion of the main casing' being broken away and showing in sectional elevation a portion of the inclosed mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional elevation showing the mechanism arranged for operatinga valve or cock in the service-pipe. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation showing a modification, and Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the same on line zz of Fig. 6.

My invention consists mainly in a coin-controlled gas-vending machine wherein is employed a main gear driven by the power of the meter, which main gear operates a rod, plate, or arm or other pusher designed to dislodge a coin in the machine from a support or table, which dislodgment of said coin either brings another coin into position or allows a locking device or pawl to intercept the progress of the pusher, and thus acts to lock the meter or operate a cock for cutting off the iiow of gas. v

The invention also consists of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, all as hereinafter described `and claimed.

A represents the main casing of my new coin -controlled gas-vending machine, designed to be attached to or held in close proximity to a gas-meter B of the usual or of any approved construction.

C represents a shaft reaching from the main casing A into the meter B and connected by -a gear-wheel a to another gear-wheel b, so as -to be turned by the meter mechanism. The

gear-Wheel b may be in addition to the usual meter mechanism or it may be ione of the usual gears used for operating the indices of the meter. The opposite end of the said shaft C is provided with a gear-Wheel or pinion c, which may be used to rrevolve the main gearwheel D directly, or it may be arranged to re- -volve it indirectly through a pinion d and another gear-wheel e when it is desired to adapt the machine to deliver more or less gas for the coindeposited; in other words, to adapt the machine to a change in the price of gas.

The main gear-wheel D is secured on a shaft f, which is journaled in the main casing, and

which, for the sake of economy and to adapt it also to carry an index-pointer g, is bent to form a crank f. This crank operates a leverl E, pivoted at h. The said lever may be variously arranged and variously constructed to be engaged by the crank f. As here shown, it is formed with a slot h to accommodate the vertical movement of the crank f when the same is revolved by the wheel D. F represents a meter-locking and coin-dislodging plate or pusher, which is reciprocated by the lever E-as, for example, in the construction shown, by a link or pitman connection F-and slides in a support or box F2, formed upon or attached to the back of the main casing, and it serves, first, when intercepted by the pawl L, as hereinafter described, as a lock to the lever E, crank f', wheel D, gearand pinion d e, (if used,) gear c, shaft C, and gears a b for cutting off the supply of gas, and, secondly, when said pawl is depressed by the presence of a coin between the plunger J and the table K, asl hereinafter described, to push such coin out from contact with the pawl, and if more than one coin at a time has been delivered into the primary coin-receptacle G to push them out therefrom one by one as each successive coins equivalent in gas is consumed.

The primary coin-receptacle Gis connected with a chute H, Which conducts the coins deposited into its outer open end down to the said receptacle. In said receptacle Gis placed a plunger J, provided with a rod or stem J', which passes through a iiange J2 and out th-rough the top of the main casing, where it projects sufficiently to form an end by which the purchaser may lift it, or it may be provided with a lifting device-as, e. g., the lever JS--forlifting the plunger to clear thedelivery end of the chute H, as shown in Figs. tand 5. On the stem J is placed a coiled spring J4,

which acts between the head J and plate J2 to normally hold the plunger down, so as to rest upon any coins in the receptacle G, or, in case said receptacle be empty, to rest upon the stop or limit pin j, which comes in conto tact with the plate J2, as shown in Fig. 1, and prevents the plunger from descending beyond bounds.

coin-receptacle G, a space t' the width ot' the i5 thickness of a coin being formed between the said table and the lower end of the said receptacle. Protruding through the said table into the said space is a finger fi', formed upon or attached to a lever i2 and pivoted at t3, `so o that its end i4 may fulcrum on or beneath fthe pusher F. The lever ft2 is pivoted to the pawl Il, which is formed with a projection L5 at its free end to intercept the pusher F, as shown* in Fig. l. Said pawl is held Vup by as-pringl. z5 When a coin enters the receptacle G, it disposes itself latwise upon the finger il. Said coin may serve by `its weight or impact to release the pusher F; but for greater certainty it is deemed preferable to employ a plunger 3o to press against the coin and finger and release the said pusher F. When the pusher F is thus released, the power of the meter acting through shaft C and gear-wheel c, or c, d, and

e, will slowly turn the main geaihwheel Dl and crank f', causing the latter to swing the lever E to its opposite position and back to the position shown in Fig. l. In moving from the position shown in FigA l to the said opposite position the pusher F will push the coin 4o lying next to the table or plate K out of the primary receptacle G, from which it will drop into the cash-box M. The return of the lever E will withdraw the pusher F from contact with the projection i5, whereupon (if there lbe ,5 no other coin in the receptacle G) the spring Z will project said projectingr end of the pawl L into the path ot' the said pusher F, and thus again lock the meter as before and prevent further delivery of gas.

lf more than a single coin be delivered into the coinreceptacle at one time, the coins fol lowing the tirst will, by their own weight or under the pressure of the plunger, prevent` the projecting end of the pawl L from be- 5 5 ingprojected by the springl, asjust described,

and will thus delay its interference with the pusher F and the consequent locking of the meter, thus producing the etect that the operation of dislodging the coin and delivering 6c the gas will be repeated automatically so long.

as the coin remains between the table and the plunger-7.'. e., until the last coins worth of gas has been consumed.

The operation of supplying the receptacle G with a coin or coins is simply to retract the plunger by turning the lever J3 from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Figi et, or otherwise, and then to place the coins, one or more,in the open end of the chtite, and then return the lever to the former position, whereupon the spring J4 will force the plunger and the coins against the finger t". The number of coins in the receptacle G will be constantly indicated by a scale j', formed in the rod or stem J', the surface of the casing H serving as the gage.

In Fig. 5 the pusher F is caused to cut olf the gas by turning a valve or cock N in the 'service-pipe N and thus prevent the further K represents a table placed beneath the;

delivery of gas after the value of the coin or coins deposited has been consumed. In this construction the pusher F is intercepted and locked by a plate 0, adapted to be depressed by the coin or coins and plunger in the receptacle G, land connected in this instance to a pivoted rod O' and sustained by aspring o, attached to said rod O. The plate O is connected to the -arm n of the cock or valve by a link n', so that the pressure of the pusher on O will cause the latter to close the cock and cut off the gas. When the plate O is depressed by the depositing of Va coin and releases the pusher F, the :cock will be opened by a spring N2, arranged to act upon the said arm n of the cock, as will be clearly understood from the drawings.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the coins are pushed out from the coin-receptacle G by a rotating pusher or arm I), which is attached to the main gear D. In this arrangement the main casing A is placed upon the top of the meter B and the gearing is placed in horizontal posi-tion, as shown, and connected to the meter by a vertical in place of a horizontal shaft.v Figs. 6 and 7 also show a modification of the coincontrolled stop or locking pawl L. Ai here showin, it is not provided with a pivoted triplever; but its upper end, which reaches up through the table K, is flattened to receive the coin upon it, and its outer end extends slightly beyond the walls of the coin-receptacle G.

As above stated, if it is not desired to adapt the machine to be changed for varying prices `in gas the gear-wheel e and pinion d maybe dispensed with and the wheel c made to mesh directly with the main gear-wheel D; but

when the said gear and pinion are used the pinion d will be journaled on a gudgeon d', attached to a slotted and adjustable plate cl2, which may be firmly set against the wall of the main casing by a screw da. The said pinion will be provided with a pair o dowel-pins or equivalent device, on which or by which a larger or smaller gear e may he attached to the pinion cl to revolve therewith and to mesh with the main gear D. The adjustability of the plate d2 permits the ready attachment of interchangeable gears e, so that by simply' changing this one gear the machine may be made to deliver more or less gas to correspond with any change in price that may take place.

'Vhile I have shown and described my invention as applicable for the sale of illumi- IOO IIO

lnating-gas, I do not limit myself to such use, as it may be used for the sale and delivery of water, gas for heating purposes, steam for heating and power, and other liquids or iuids.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a coin-controlled gas vending machine a main gear wheel driven by the power of the meter, a coin receiving table, a pusher operated by the main gear wheel for pushing the coins oft' from said table, and a coin controlled locking device arranged for detaining the pusher and cutting off the gas, substantially as described.

2. In a coin-controlled gas vending machine, a main gear wheel driven by the power of a meter, combined with a pusher operated thereby, and a coin controlled locking device for locking the coin pusher, from movement when the coins value in gas has been delivered, substantially as described.

3. In a coin-controlled gas vending machine a primary coin receptacle, a table to support the coin beneath the said receptacle and spaced therefrom, a locking pawl adapted to reach into said space, a pusher arranged to pass through said space, and means for operating said pusher by the power of the meter, substantially as described.

4. In a coin controlled gas vending machine a primary coin receptacle, a table or support for the coin beneath the said receptacle and spaced therefrom, and a pusher for dislodging said coin operated by the power of the meter, substantially as described.

5. In acoin-controlled gas vending machine a primary coin receptacle, atable beneath the said receptacle and spaced therefrom, a locking pawl reaching into said space, a plunger placed in said receptacle, and a pusher for dislodging the coin from said table operated by the power of the meter, substantially as described.

6. In a coin controlled gas vending machine, a primary coin receptacle, a table beneath said receptacle and spaced therefrom, a locking pawl reaching into said space, a plunger placed in said receptacle, a device for limiting the downward movement of said plunger, and a pusher for dislodgin g coin from said table operated by the power of the meter, sub' stantially as described.

7. In a coin-controlled gas vendin g machine, a primary coin receptacle, a table beneath said receptacle and spaced therefrom, alocking pawl reaching into said space, a plunger placed in said receptacle, a spring for depressing said plunger, a lever for lifting the same and a pusher for dislodging coins from said table operated by the power of the meter, substantially as described.

8. In acoin-controlled gas vending machine a main gear Wheel operated by the power of the meter, a coin pusher operated by said main gear-wheel, and a locking device for said pusher, and a cock or valve fitted in the service pipe arranged to be closed by said locking device, substantially as described.

9. In a coin-controlled gas-vending machine a main gear wheel operated by the power of the meter, a crank connected to said gear wheel, a lever connected to said crank, a pusher connected to said lever, a coin receiving table and a locking device arranged to be acted upon by a coin and to intercept and lock the said pusher, substantially asdescribed.

10. In a coin controlled gas vending machine a main gear wheel D, operated by the power of the meter and provided with an arm P, in

combination with a table for the coin and a pawl L, arranged to reach above said table and to intercept the arm P, substantially as described. l

11. In a coin-controlled gas vending machine, the combination with the main gear D, and gear c, attached to a shaft which reaches into and is operated by the meter, of an adj ustable plate formed or provided with a gudgeon, a pinion journaled thereon and interchangeable gear wheels adapted to be attached to and revolved by said pinion, substantially as described.

NVESLEY WEBBER.- Witnesses:

EMILE RIESER, H. A. WEST. 

